What does "substantive law" define?

Substantive law is a fundamental aspect of the legal system that pertains to the rights and duties of individuals, as well as the collective rights and duties of groups or organizations. This type of law outlines what individuals can and cannot do, essentially establishing the legal framework that governs behavior in society. It includes areas such as contract law, tort law, property law, and criminal law, which delineate the legal relationships between people and between individuals and the state.

Understanding substantive law is crucial because it addresses the core issues of legal rights and responsibilities, enabling individuals to understand their legal standings and obligations. For example, in contract law, substantive law would inform a party of their rights if a contract is breached, or in criminal law, it would specify what constitutes a crime and the rights of defendants.

The other options focus on different aspects of law. The processes used to enforce laws in a society fall under procedural law, which governs the methods and means by which substantive law is enforced. Penalties associated with criminal acts pertain to specific substantive laws but do not define the overall scope of substantive law itself. Legal procedures for court trials also relate to procedural law rather than the substantive rules defining rights and duties.